The state's political watchdog agency fined California Transportation Commissioner J. Thomas Hawthorne of Escondido $165,000 on Tuesday for voting on San Diego County freeway projects that translated into additional business for his Caterpillar heavy equipment dealership. The fine is the second-largest ever assessed against a public official by the Fair Political Practices Commission, according to the commission.

The state's political watchdog agency fined California Transportation Commissioner J. Thomas Hawthorne of Escondido $165,000 on Tuesday for voting on San Diego County freeway projects that translated into additional business for his Caterpillar heavy equipment dealership. The fine is the second-largest ever assessed against a public official by the Fair Political Practices Commission, according to the commission.

A $73-million, high-tech traffic-management system is expected to reduce San Diego County freeway congestion by 30% by the year 2005, Caltrans officials announced Wednesday. The plan--a combined effort of Caltrans, the San Diego Assn.

The state Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating whether a prominent San Diego County businessman has violated state conflict-of-interest laws by voting to approve millions of dollars of construction projects as a member of the California Transportation Commission, sources said Wednesday. J.

Former Newport Beach city councilman and Irvine Co. executive Robert Shelton has been appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson to a seat on the California Transportation Commission, state officials said Tuesday. "One of the real challenges is to see that transportation funds are used wisely and are not sitting idle," said Shelton, 68. "But it's a little too early to pontificate." Shelton said he learned about the appointment from the governor's staff a few days ago.

The state Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating whether a prominent San Diego County businessman has violated state conflict-of-interest laws by voting to approve millions of dollars of construction projects as a member of the California Transportation Commission, sources said Wednesday. J.

The state Senate confirmed Thursday the appointment of J. Thomas Hawthorne to a second term on the California Transportation Commission, rejecting allegations that Hawthorne acted improperly by voting to approve freeway construction projects that might benefit his heavy-equipment business. The Senate approved Hawthorne's appointment on a 28-0 vote after three senators from San Diego County said the conflict-of-interest accusations against the Escondido businessman were without foundation.

The state's political watchdog agency Tuesday fined California Transportation Commissioner J. Thomas Hawthorne of Escondido $165,000 for voting on San Diego County freeway projects that translated into additional business for his exclusive Caterpillar heavy equipment dealership in Kearny Mesa. The fine is the second-largest ever assessed against a public official by the Fair Political Practices Commission.